"You probably have a few brain cells missing": They race down the slope to catch some cheese at over 100 km/h
Do you want to participate in or watch an unusual sport with a great reward? It's possible. Traditionally, at the end of May, a race takes place near Gloucester, England. The "Cooper's Hill Cheese Race." Far from being a joke, this race draws crowds from across the Channel.
The event is very simple and involves rolling a 3-4 kilo cheese – a Double Gloucester – down a 200-meter "100% guaranteed gradient" slope, with the participants chasing it. The first to cross the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese.
The origins of this race are somewhat unclear; some say it's a centuries-old tradition. Despite its apparent absurdity, the competition is a celebration of local folklore, the spirit of defiance, and British humor. But be warned: the race carries significant risks.
Indeed, the Cooper's Hill Cheese Race results in several injuries each year. The extreme nature of the descent, both steep and uneven, makes any attempt to remain upright nearly impossible. Participants roll, stumble, and fall, sometimes causing sprains, fractures, and other injuries.
Yet, the competitors are all rushing to the start. "You can't be afraid of pain. And you probably have to be a bit short of neurons. I'm a bit short of both, so I tick all the boxes," explained one participant in comments relayed by France Info.
For the record, at the bottom of the hill, at the finish line, the local rugby team is waiting for the runners. "We avoid the cheese and stop people before they crash into the fence," explained one of the players. The coming together of sports, even those very different, can sometimes be a good thing.
L'Internaute
